Sluice Gate Replacement – Sutton Bridge
Aquatic Control was commissioned to replace an ageing sluice gate within a land drainage outfall chamber on Chalk Lane, Sutton Bridge in Spalding. The site is heavily affected by constant water movement and tidal fluctuations, which made the project more complex. The existing sluice gate had suffered significant wear and needed a full replacement. Installing the new gate also required careful structural preparation, including the filling of large voids left once the old unit was removed.
First, the old gate was removed and a new one installed. The team then uncovered two large voids on either side of the structure. To ensure long-term stability and reliable performance, they needed to fill these voids quickly and effectively. However, standard grout would not work because the cavities were too large and the chamber experiences constant tidal movement. As a result, the project required a high-performance material, one that offered waterproof strength, long-lasting durability, and strong environmental compliance. Ultimately, this choice would determine the overall success and resilience of the installation.
Aquatic Control contacted Natural Cement regarding the sluice gate project, and after reviewing the project details and requirements, we then recommended using our TRACKCRETE, a specialist concrete designed to cure underwater. Because this product is beyond suitable for tidal and fully submerged environments, it was an ideal choice for this outfall chamber. In addition, TRACKCRETE offered two key advantages: strong resistance to corrosion and the ability to set while completely submerged. Furthermore, its environmentally friendly properties were essential, especially given the sensitive tidal conditions on site. Ultimately, these combined benefits made TRACKCRETE the most reliable and effective solution for the project.
The team removed the old, worn sluice gate and fitted the new unit in its place. Once the gate was aligned and secured, they uncovered two large voids on either side of the structure. To ensure the installation was fully supported, they needed to fill these voids promptly and effectively using TRACKCRETE. However, Additionally, the team had to account for the challenging environmental conditions of the chamber, which experiences constant tidal movement. As a result, the material selected had to remain workable during placement and, just as importantly, cure reliably while underwater.
By selecting TRACKCRETE, Aquatic Control ensured long-term performance, improved resilience against tidal movement, and compliance with environmental standards, delivering a dependable solution for this critical piece of drainage infrastructure.
Date added: 03/12/2025